Cahill's goals earn a win in Toronto, 2:1
April 27, 2013
The game looked to be following the script. An early goal, defensive dominance... then slowly but steadily, the opponent begins to take over. Defensive lapses followed by -- what else -- an equalizer. And then... Well, tonight Metro veered off the script to beat Toronto 2:1. Oh, and speaking of veering, Tim Cahill scored. Twice.
Dax McCarty's injury led to Eric Alexander sliding over to the middle, and Lloyd Sam taking over on the right for his first start this year. Jamison Olave, back from his own injury, sent Heath Pearce back to the bench.
Metro got on the board in the 39th minute. Roy Miller made a terrific (yes, we just used "Roy Miller" and "terrific" in the same sentence) run on the left, slicing through Toronto defenders. He centered the ball through the box, Titi Henry dummied it, as it ended at the feet of Cahill. The Australian, who seemed to do everything but score this year, didn't fail this time. Minutes later, Fabian Espindola found himself in the box with the ball. He got through a defender, but his shot was poked away by Toronto's Joe Bendik.
In the first half, Toronto couldn't even get a shot on goal, but as the game ventured forward, their attack became more and more consistent. They got the equalizer in the 83rd minute as Luis Robles ventured to the edge of the box, left the net empty, and forgot to return. A long shot by Jonathan (not Juan?) Osorio would have probably been saved if the Metro keeper stayed put.
So, another three points lost? Somehow, not today. In the 89th minute, Robles sent the ball up the field, and it ended with Peguy Luyindula. The dreadlocked attacker found Henry, his fellow Frenchman, on the left side of the box. The bearded ubermensch centered the ball, Cahill ran into the box, and headed home the winner.
So, tonight the script was changed. Let's hope those changes stay permanent...
Lineup: Robles, Miller, Olave, Holgersson, Barklage, Alexander, Steele, Sam, Cahill, Espindola, Henry. Subs: Kimura, Luyindula.
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